Minutes:
Proposed new School in Bourneside – Michael Clary updated
residents on this proposal.
Historic England have said that they
oppose these proposals and would reject them if a planning
application was submitted by the Council for a new primary school.
The Labour Council has not fully taken into account the
conservation requirement for this listed piece of
parkland. However discussion with
Historic England has not been concluded and they have said that if
4 objectives are satisfied they would reconsider:
1) No other sites available for a school in the area.
2) A long term park management plan is created.
3) The Council would restrict further development on the
site.
4) Funding to come from Heritage Lottery.
Copies of documents have been obtained under Freedom of Information. These cannot be reprinted but can be shown to residents if they contact Michael Clary.
The Minchenden
School option favoured by the ward councillors will be converted to
a school for children (132 places) with high spectrum autistic
needs. The purchase of the site from
Barnet Southgate College is imminent.
Opposite this site is the Southgate library. This is proposed to be
demolished. Potentially it would become college offices with
residential dwellings above. No detailed plans are available as
yet. The public library would be moved
into the College itself.
Cllr Robert Hayward suggested that the new library will be a good
thing with a greater book selection for residents.
Concern was raised by Ms Jane Maggs that the community notice board outside of
the library should remain as this was paid for by the Residents'
Priority Fund. This notice board has also been emptied and Cllr
Hayward will investigate why this has happened.
Cllr Smith announced that Southgate has £2,400 still
remaining in the ERPF. This could be used for planting around
Southgate Circus.
A resident raised the point that there are empty offices opposite
St Andrews School that could be converted to a Primary School and
that could and should be considered by council officers. The site
may be suitable due to the space and car park being used as a
play ground.
The Ashmole Academy is well
under way. Although located across the
border in Barnet, a new primary school is being built in the
immediate area to which local children in Southgate would have
access.
Hotel Proposal next to the Allan Pullinger Centre – Premier Inn application has been submitted and is being considered by Council officers. This hotel would bring employment and hotel guests that would use the many local restaurants in the area benefitting all. There were however potential traffic issues.
Enfield Road residential development
– Fairview wanted to develop 600 houses and secondary school.
Due to extensive local opposition, Fairview and Church of England
have backed down as this scheme was located in the Green Belt and
the site had not been re-designated in the Local Plan. What is concerning is that this land could be
‘realigned’. This means that the Green Belt boundary
could be amended to exclude this land although this may take a few
years if the Labour Council choose to
pursue this.
Meridian Water – Biggest
Development in Enfield – 10k new homes. Update on
development. Most of the site was heavily contaminated. The Council
is purchasing various landholdings currently.
A Master Developer is being procured as this huge scheme may take
up to 20 years to complete. 3 Developers have submitted bids. The
Council will select the Master Developer in June.
A new station is planned within the development. There is a problem over the need to fund 4 trains
per hour to service this station. Department of Transport are only
prepared to fund 2 trains per hour.
This development will also help alleviate the pressure to develop
in the Green Belt.